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Hiking holidays Reschensee - Lake Kaltern, Charme

Hiking: Reschensee - Meran / Lake Kaltern

”Via Claudia Augusta”

The “Via Claudia Augusta” is one of the most famous long-distance hiking trails in Europe. In any case, it is one of the hiking paths that have the most to offer culturally and historically. In the past it was used by the ancient Romans, today numerous hikers enjoy the route from the Mediterranean to the Danube. Eurohike runs this trip on the section between two beautiful lakes, the Reschensee and the Kalterer See. A church tower that protrudes out of the middle of a lake – where can you get something like that? Quite simply: At the Reschensee, which has become one of the most popular photo opportunities in the region thanks to this unusual sight. After the Reschensee and Haiderer See, you will hike along the Adige.

You pass lush alpine pastures, shady forests, imposing mountain plateaus, charming mountain villages as well as historical castles and fortresses. Reinhold Messner's Juval Castle with the “Messner Mountain Museum” is just as worth a stop as the Ganglegg archaeological site. Day 6 of the tour finally takes you to Merano, which invites you to linger. Via the castles-rich Nals, you finally reach your destination, Lake Kaltern. Be sure to hop in before you leave, because with some over 28 degrees it is the warmest swimming lake in the Alpine region.

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Itinerary

First along Reschensee reservoir and over to Graun, where you will find the best known camera motive of the Vinschau, the flooded spire of Gaun. The route runs past lake Haidersee and along the largest alluvial fan of the Alps and leads up to the idyllic mountain village Planeil. Downhill you walk through forest and later through flowering meadows to Burgeis, with view to the impressive monastery of Marienberg.

approx. 5.5 h
approx. 21 km
200 m
550 m

Walk along the Sonnensteig path, a newly created theme path with fantastic views of the snowy mountain peaks. High above the town Mals, with its many towers, onwards and over the Tartscher Bichl past ‚Ganglegg’, a historic archaeological site from the Bronze and Iron Age on to Schluderns, with the most impressive and best-preserved castles in South Tyrol.

approx. 4 h
approx. 10 km
100 m
350 m

From the foot of Sonnberg your walk starts and continues crossing through dense forests. Above Laas, well known for the white marble, you later reach the orchards of Vinschgau – apple trees as far as the eyes can see.

approx. 4.5 – 5.5 h
approx. 19 km
550 m
750 m

Today you pass through the orchard of the Vinschgau. Along the Latschander Waal path you walk through regions of the best South Tyrolean wines. Continue on the archaeological path which almost takes you to Messners castle ‘Juval’, high above the valley. On a meandering trail downhill you reach Naturns.

approx. 6 – 6.5 h
approx. 22 km
400 m
600 m

High up you continue following the Rablander Waal path through forests, past Alpine mountain farms forever accompanied by stunning views of the Vinschgau valley. Follow Partschinser and Algunder Waal path down into the Meraner basin. Tired muscles get a chance to relax in the thermal spa.

approx. 5 h
approx. 18 km
350 m
550 m

On Marlinger Waal path, the longest Waal of South Tyrol you walk into the apple centre Lana. On your way enjoy lovely views on Meran and the Adige valley to Bolzano. Pass through light forests up to Tisens, well known for the sweet chestnuts. During the second half of this path many ancient fortresses are passed: Nals with Stachelburg, Schwanburg and Payrsberg castle.

approx. 5.5 – 6.5 h
approx. 19 km
550 m
550 m

Walk past castles, raised stands and fortresses with great views of the Etschtal Valley and the surrounding mountain ranges. A section of the path takes you along the ‘Three-Fortress-Route’ and continue via St. Michael through extensive vineyards until you reach the beautiful lake Kalterer See. In this beautiful valley you should taste a glass of "Kalterer See".

approx. 5.5 – 6.5 h
approx. 21 km
500 m
550 m
Hiking Via Claudia 2 South Tyrol map

Tour character

You walk mainly on good walking paths, often on the so called ‘Waal paths’, ancient water systems as well as on paved sections. The paths are easy to walk, the route is undulating through lovely countryside, dotted with orchards and vineyards. Longer ascents only occur on two of the days. We recommend a good basic fitness level for walking days of up to 6.5 hours. Shortcuts of daily sections are possible by train or coach.

Prices & dates

All data for 2023 at a glance
Prices and services may vary depending on the travel year
Select travel year:
Place of arrival: Reschen
  Season 1
29.04.2023 - 07.05.2023
18.09.2023 - 07.10.2023

Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday
Season 2
08.05.2023 - 18.06.2023
04.09.2023 - 17.09.2023

Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday
Season 3
19.06.2023 - 03.09.2023

Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday
Reschensee - Lake Kaltern, 9 days, Charme, IT-SJWRK-09D
Base price
1'529.-
1'639.-
1'779.-
Surcharge single room 295.- 295.- 295.-
Half board (7x) 269.- 269.- 269.-

Category: see "Your hotels"

Season 1
Apr 29, 2023 - May 7, 2023
Sep 18, 2023 - Oct 7, 2023
Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday
Season 2
May 8, 2023 - Jun 18, 2023
Sep 4, 2023 - Sep 17, 2023
Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday
Season 3
Jun 19, 2023 - Sep 3, 2023
Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday
Reschensee - Lake Kaltern, 9 days, Charme, IT-SJWRK-09D
Base price
Surcharge single room
Half board (7x)
1'529.-
295.-
269.-
1'639.-
295.-
269.-
1'779.-
295.-
269.-

Category: see "Your hotels"

Filter
Transfer Kalterer See - Reschen
79.-
Prices per person in CHF

Services & information

Services

Included:

  • Accommodation as mentioned category incl. breakfast 
  • Welcome briefing (German, English)
  • Daily luggage transfer
  • Carefully elaborated route 
  • Detailed travel and tour documents 1x per room (German, English, French)
  • 1 Dinner in Schlanders
  • App for navigation and GPS-data
  • Service hotline

Note:

  • Tourist tax, if due, is not included in the price
  • Reservation fee of CHF 20.- per adult (incl. legally required customer money protection)

Optional:

  • Half-board evening meal (mostly multi-course, sometimes outside the property, payable with voucher) 
  • Return transfer by minibus from Lake Kalterer See to Reschen every Saturday, Sunday and Monday, costs CHF 85.- per person, CHF 35.- per dog, reservation is necessary, to be paid for in advance
Information

Arrival/Parking/Departure:

  • By train to Landeck (North Tyrol) and by bus approx. 1.5 hours to Reschen. Or by train via Bolzano and Meran to Mals (South Tyrol) and by bus to Reschen in approx. 30 minutes
  • Innsbruck or Munich airport. 
  • Parking: parking spaces available, approx. CHF 45.- to CHF 75.- per week, no reservation.
  • Return transfer from Meran by Vinschgau train in approx. 1.5 h to Mals and from there approx. 30 min to Reschen. From Lake Kalterer by bus/train in approx. 1 h to Merano then continue as described.

Other important information: 

  • The distance travelled is approximate and may differ from the actual distance.  
  • Travel cancellation insurance, including travel interruption insurance is recommended. 

This tour has 1 more variation

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Do you still have questions about the tour? We are happy to help and look forward to your inquiry.